On trains, on Twitter, even at bars, one of the biggest questions I get asked as a beauty editor is ‘what skincare routine is best for my skin?’. The thing is, it’s totally dependent on your skin type – what works for one person might now work for another… 

To help you take some of the guess work out of your next skincare restock, we’ve taken the main skintypes, broken them down into the biggest concerns, and created customised skincare routines faster than you can say ‘face wash’.   

Before you go, here are our key points to consider…

1. LOOK FOR SKIN TYPES

Like most aspects of beauty, skincare routine depends on your skin type, but it’s a good idea to start with the basics. Check out our guide here to learn what your skintype is and how to use this knowledge to your benefit.

A

Most moisturisers for oily skin focus on plumping up oil glands and can be too moisturising, which can dry your skin out. Try one with a high percentage of vitamin A to reduce puffiness and tightness around the eyes.

B

Whereas people with B skintypes (and oily skin in general) are advised to avoid moisture, balmy products are perfect for the skin type. They are ideal for reducing dryness and removing excess oils.

C

Dry skin may appear to be resistant to skincare products but even if they won’t make it perfect, you can still use them and your skin will thank you for it!

Evening skincare routines



2. PLUMP YOUR EARLY SKIN

Too many people wait until they’re mature and ageing before they start skincare, thinking they’re all as good as it gets – but you should start moisturising as soon as your face starts showing signs of dryness. “You can feel your skin getting drier as you go through life,” says Dr. Debra Jaliman, a New York dermatologist. “The sun is only going to dry it more, and the hormonal changes that come with puberty and going through puberty mean that as you get older, you may start to develop less oil. That’s also an effect of the hormones that come with puberty.”

Before you think about moisturising, make sure that your routine is as good as it can be to start with. “Make sure you’re getting your essentials,” adds Jaliman. “Start with your cleanser, a clarifying treatment, and an SPF. Your moisturiser should be your oil control. If you start off on a good protocol, you’re not going to wait until you have really oily skin before you apply moisturiser. If you do want to wait until you get older to start, make sure you are applying enough moisturiser throughout the day. That doesn’t mean you can’t put a moisturiser on when you wake up, but it shouldn’t be your first moisturiser.”

3. EYELINER: YOUR SECOND CUT

Eyeliner is your go-to everyday skincare product for over half of the world, and can have a major impact on your appearance – but that doesn’t mean it’s the best product for everyone. Take a look at our quiz to find out which eyeliner works for you, and whether you’re wasting money on one that’s not right for you.

If you’re looking for an eyeliner, start with an eyeliner pencil that matches your skin tone. Even if your eyeliner matches your hair colour, it can change the way it looks on your eyelids – especially if you have dark or oily eyes. “If you want to go bright, you’ll need a pink, blue or red,” says Jasmine Shetty, a beauty expert from Ipanema. “If you want something more subtle, use a blue or a purple. If you want something more daring, then you can do the darker blue, but keep it under your eyes. A light blue or black pencil is usually perfect for black eyes, or a bronze.”

Use a brow pencil that matches your skin tone as well, because it will take the attention away from your upper lash line and makes them look thinner.

You should also be using a primer to ensure your eyeliner stays on all day, and if you use liquid eyeliner, always remember to use a primer.

5. TAME THINNING SKIN

“Women with really thin skin should be using a tinted moisturiser,” advises Jasmine Shetty. “You can see where you need one by looking in the mirror and finding one that gives a great coverage in those areas – your cheeks, jawline, chin.

“The great thing about tinted moisturisers is that they can be used with your foundation. You can just use the side of your finger to blend it under your foundation or cover-up. Then you won’t need your foundation to stay looking clean – it will last all day.”

6. STAY AWAY FROM PRETTY RECKLESS SUNDAYS

Sunspray – the tiny hairs in the air that create the impression of a tan – can be really damaging to your skin. While you can apply a tan before you go out and it will disappear naturally as the day goes on, if you go out and it’s bright, it will come out on your skin and you’ll look like a tomato.

The best thing to do? To keep out of the sun at all costs and avoid getting too much sun, says Dr Jaliman. “I tell my patients to use sunscreen, wear a hat, and they shouldn’t put on bronzer,” she says. “I always tell people to avoid the tan from using a bronzer – you can get a bit of a burn, so try to stay out of the sun and wear sunblock. You can have a white cast if you don’t.”

MORE: What's The Deal With Chapped Lips?

7. ENJOY A GOOD SELF-PAY

You should never waste money on a beauty treatment you don’t enjoy, and if your self-care routine has been something you’ve really been looking forward to, you’ll likely end up getting a better result if you treat yourself to a cut and blow dry, or massage and facial, too.

“Self-care is a really important part of your life,” says Jasmine Shetty. “It’s not just about buying the best product but also just going to the gym, eating well and feeling your best. Treat yourself.”

MORE: Confessions of a Male Makeup Artist: Do Men Need Makeup?

8. LIP STICKS: NOT WORTH THE POUNDS?

Of course, some women will choose to spend money on a lipstick, but while you’re in the dressing room, try to choose a lipstick that suits your skin tone. “If it’s orange-y, you’ll look like a pumpkin,” says Jasmine Shetty.

9. TWERK FOR THE LIP STICKS

Now this may sound like you’re kidding, but you don’t want to end up looking like you’re auditioning to be in girl band while applying your lipstick – it should always be a slow, seductive move – otherwise, the effect will be ruined.

“You should be twirling your lipstick around your lips, getting it a bit moist,” says Dr Jaliman. “It should look a bit wet and look like you’re giving it a kiss.”

10. LIPSTICK CAN KILL YOUR SKIN

“If your lips get on a lipstick, it’s going to stick to them and you’re going to get some pretty ugly stains,” says Dr Jaliman. “If your lips are dry, just apply lipstick, wait for a few minutes, and wipe it off.”

“Make sure you clean your lips with a balm, not a lip balm with lip colour, because it’s just going to come off in your mouth,” she adds.